Owning the Wait

Dr. Basima Williams is a seasoned medical expert specializing in integrative and functional medicine. With years of experience in cutting-edge treatments like cryotherapy and IV nutritional therapy, she's dedicated to transforming lives. She joins us to share insights on hormone optimization, PCOS, and menopause.

Picking up where we left off the last episode, we continue by diving into perimenopause and menopause. These are something that all women experience in their lifetime and often find difficulty navigating in a healthy manner. Dr. Williams provides context as to what is happening in our bodies, why it can be difficult to maintain a comfortable weight or appearance during these transitions, and some healthy habits you can adopt that will help make it easier to navigate these changes.

What you'll hear in this episode:

[2:11] What are the differences between perimenopause and menopause?

[6:14] What are some of the initial symptoms of perimenopause?

[12:27] What causes the symptoms of perimenopause?

[19:08] What happens to your body when you transition into menopause?

[29:05] What are some symptoms of being in an estrogen-dominant state?

[35:22] What things can you be doing to help as you move into your perimenopausal years?

Connect with Dr. Williams: beingfunctional.com

Find her Supplements: myvitamin.com

*Submit your question to be answered on the podcast: https://www.jilliantedesco.co/podcast

* Connect with me on IG @jilliantedesco

*Order your copy of my book, Owning the Wait, now! jilliantedesco.co

Dr. Basima Williams is a seasoned medical expert specializing in integrative and functional medicine. With years of experience in cutting-edge treatments like cryotherapy and IV nutritional therapy, she's dedicated to transforming lives. She joins us to share insights on hormone optimization, PCOS, and menopause.

This is the beginning of our last mini-series within the Nutrition, Hormones & Gut Health series on the podcast. We continue discussing women's reproductive health and the importance of balancing hormones. For this initial episode, Dr. Williams educates on PCOS and the importance of progesterone to female wellness and shares a little bit of her personal journey in overcoming PCOS.

What you'll hear in this episode:

[2:23] Why did Dr. Williams transition into functional medicine?

[5:00] What is progesterone and its role in our bodies?

[8:48] What can cause your body to not produce enough progesterone, common in PCOS?

[13:17] What is the impact of cysts in your ovaries?

[18:13] Can a healthy young athlete develop PCOS?

[22:00] What is the role of supplementation and homeopathic supplements in recovery from PCOS?

[25:18] What are some things that you can start doing at home if you feel that you may be experiencing hormone imbalances?

Connect with Dr. Williams: beingfunctional.com

Find her Supplements: myvitamin.com

*Submit your question to be answered on the podcast: https://www.jilliantedesco.co/podcast

* Connect with me on IG @jilliantedesco

*Order your copy of my book, Owning the Wait, now! jilliantedesco.co

Victoria Nieveen is an integrative and functional nutrition dietician who specializes in women's health and fertility. She helps women with absent or irregular cycles nourish their bodies and balance their hormones so that they can conceive.

Victoria not only sheds light on what HA is but also educates its diagnosis, the diverse impacts it can have, and the array of symptoms women may experience. She discusses the process of recovery, offering valuable insights and initial steps to regain hormonal balance, and emphasizes the importance of hope and confidence along the way. Victoria's guidance helps women embark on a path toward holistic well-being, embracing the possibility of a future filled with the joys of motherhood

What you'll hear in this episode:

[1:38] Victoria's fertility journey with HA and PCOS.

[6:40] What is HA (hypothalamic amenorrhea)?

[12:15] Who is susceptible to getting HA, how do you actually get HA, and what are some of the recovery steps to work through HA?

[20:00] What is the importance of nervous system support in recovering from HA?

[24:45] The importance of reframing your mindset when recovering from HA.

Connect with Victoria: @flo.fertilitynutrition

*Submit your question to be answered on the podcast: https://www.jilliantedesco.co/podcast

* Connect with me on IG @jilliantedesco

*Order your copy of my book, Owning the Wait, now! jilliantedesco.co

Victoria Nieveen is an integrative and functional nutrition dietician who specializes in women's health and fertility. She helps women with absent or irregular cycles nourish their bodies and balance their hormones so that they can conceive.

Unlike conventional protocols, she uses a whole-body approach to help her clients reconnect with their bodies, regulate their cycles, and optimize their fertility. I am excited to dive into all my questions with her and talk about this often-overlooked topic.

MEN - It is a fact that you do not experience menstrual cycles yourself, however, there is at least one woman in most men's lives that you care deeply about. Tune in to gain a better understanding of what is going on in her body throughout the month and how you can be both supportive and understanding.

What you'll hear in this episode:

[3:11] What does it mean to have healthy fertility?

[5:03] What are the 4 phases of your menstrual cycle and the length of each?

[7:16] What are some things that happen during each phase?

[13:02] Are there specific things that you should eat during different phases of your cycle?

[16:52] How do cramping, bloating, and cravings relate to your cycle health?

[18:42] How can you tell if your period is 'normal'?

[23:44] How does birth control work and what are some of the common options?

[34:14] What are some easy tips that you can implement to improve your health and have a better overall cycle?

Connect with Victoria: @flo.fertilitynutrition

*Submit your question to be answered on the podcast: https://www.jilliantedesco.co/podcast

* Connect with me on IG @jilliantedesco

*Order your copy of my book, Owning the Wait, now! jilliantedesco.co

Nicole Burbank, a nutritional therapy practitioner with a background in functional and precision medicine, joins me for our last episode of this mini-series to discuss something that I have been wanting to discuss for a long time, emotions and food.

At some point in our lives, we've all sought solace in food to navigate the complexities of our emotions. This practice is not only widespread but also on the rise. Having personally grappled with some of these tendencies, I'm excited for you all to hear Nicole's insights on improving your emotional coping mechanisms and reclaiming control over your connection with food.

What you'll hear in this episode:

[1:15] Have emotions and their impact on food choices always been something medical practitioners were aware of?

[5:00] Why do we turn to food when stressed or sad?

[6:45] How do you differentiate between an emotional eating response and true hunger?

[11:48] The importance of your core belief system and personal narrative when working on your food relationship.

[22:00] How much does your childhood upbringing impact your food relationship and choices?

[27:20] Are there any specific foods or nutrients that can impact your emotions?

[29:02] What are some good places to start for those who want to improve their relationship with food?

*Submit your question to be answered on the podcast: https://www.jilliantedesco.co/podcast

* Connect with me on IG @jilliantedesco

*Order your copy of my book, Owning the Wait, now! jilliantedesco.co

Nicole Burbank, a nutritional therapy practitioner with a background in functional and precision medicine, joins me again on the show today.

We are discussing digestion and the importance of proper digestion to your health. Nicole will run through an overview of how digestion works in your body, some signs that your digestion may not be working properly, and some ways that you can improve your digestion.

We will also touch on the importance of your mental state when sitting down to have a meal, not only thinking about your sympathetic state, but also external stressors, whether or not you are looking forward to having the food you are eating, and your overall well-being in that moment.

What you'll hear in this episode:

[2:01] Where does your digestion process start?

[5:02] If you are not being mindful when eating and salivating prior to eating, how does that impact your digestion down the line?

[10:35] What is the role of enzymes in the gut and how food is broken down?

[14:00] How does stress impact your eating and satiety signals?

[17:14] How does liver health impact your digestion?

[18:45] What are some daily choices that you can make to best support your digestion?

[22:35] How is digestion connected to our immune system?

Connect with Nicole:

IG: @yourhealthyhappyjourney

https://www.yourhealthyhappyjourney.com/

*Submit your question to be answered on the podcast: https://www.jilliantedesco.co/podcast

* Connect with me on IG @jilliantedesco

*Order your copy of my book, Owning the Wait, now! jilliantedesco.co

Nicole Burbank, a nutritional therapy practitioner with a background in functional and precision medicine, joins me for the next few episodes to dive into your endocrine system. A properly functioning endocrine system is a critical aspect of your health as it is often referred to as the "second brain".

Nicole will be sharing some information about your endocrine system, the impact of system imbalances on your health, and some natural ways to boost your endocrine function. This is a fascinating episode exploring how closely related our guts are to our brains.

What you'll hear in this episode:

[1:05] What is an endocrine cell?

[3:00] Why is the gut often referred to as the second brain?

[6:36] How can imbalances in our gut lead to digestive issues or impact our overall health?

[12:34] Are there natural ways to optimize the function of the endocrine cells in the gut?

[18:10] How do you uncover your specific bio-individuality traits?

[22:00] Why does stress have such a negative impact on the body and what are some quick ways to mitigate stress?

Connect with Nicole:

IG: @yourhealthyhappyjourney

https://www.yourhealthyhappyjourney.com/

*Submit your question to be answered on the podcast: https://www.jilliantedesco.co/podcast

* Connect with me on IG @jilliantedesco

*Order your copy of my book, Owning the Wait, now! jilliantedesco.co

This is the final episode in our functional health mini-series with Kate Rose. The last two episodes have covered how different aspects of our lives can negatively impact our health. Once you hear that information, you may be looking for a change, but where do you start?

We will be discussing the best ways to get started on your functional health journey. We'll cover the basics of what functional health practitioners can offer, and specifically what the Institute of Natural Health in St Louis offers. Functional medicine has had significant positive impacts in both Kate's and my lives and we want everyone to experience the significant shifts that we have seen.

What you'll hear on this episode:

[1:20] What is functional medicine foundationally?

[5:37] How can traumatic experiences impact your nervous system and overall health in the long term?

[10:19] What are some of the poor habits that Kate and I used to have that we think impacted our bodies negatively?

[15:55] What are the services that are offered at the Institute of Natural Health?

[22:41] Why is buying properly sourced and grown food important to your health?

Connect with Kate:

@inhstl.nursekate

*Submit your question to be answered on the podcast: https://www.jilliantedesco.co/podcast

* Connect with me on IG @jilliantedesco

*Order your copy of my book, Owning the Wait, now! jilliantedesco.co

In our second episode with Kate Rose, we delve into the significance of the liver for overall health. Oftentimes, both individuals and medical professionals tend to overlook the liver's role in addressing health issues. Surprisingly, the liver carries out more than 500 functions within our bodies, emphasizing the importance of maintaining its health.

Kate discusses the liver's multifaceted functions and its pivotal role in our well-being. She also highlights common issues associated with the liver and suggests some basic steps that we can take to enhance its health. When starting on a health journey, most people naturally focus on dietary changes. Nevertheless, considering the importance of the liver, it's arguable that prioritizing its well-being can provide even more substantial benefits.

What you'll hear in this episode

[0:45] What significant does the liver have in our body?

[6:41] What are some ways that we can support our liver health?

[6:56] What can be classified as "clean water"?

[11:06] What impact do heavy metals have on your body?

[19:42] What are some other simple things that we can do to promote a healthy liver?

Connect with Kate:

@inhstl.nursekate

Book an appointment: https://inhstl.com/contact/

LINK Smoothie detox recipe

*Submit your question to be answered on the podcast: https://www.jilliantedesco.co/podcast

* Connect with me on IG @jilliantedesco

*Order your copy of my book, Owning the Wait, now! jilliantedesco.co

Kate Rose, a Registered Nurse, Nutritional Therapist, and friend joins me on the show today. Our focus is exploring how our bodies respond when living in a parasympathetic state. In our current hustle culture, which emphasizes relentless effort, many of us find ourselves consistently in a parasympathetic (fight or flight) mode, neglecting the crucial downtime required for our bodies to recuperate.

While you might not immediately sense any abnormalities, prolonged periods in this state can severely impact your nervous system and eventually undermine your overall health. Kate is here to share some indicators and symptoms of excessive stimulation and being stuck in a parasympathetic state. Additionally, she will provide suggestions on how to start the journey back to a healthier equilibrium.

What you'll hear in this episode:

[1:16] What do these terms mean: Parasympathetic vs. sympathetic, rest and digest, fight or flight

[4:57] How does caffeine affect your fight or flight response?

[6:17] How do I know if I am living in fight or flight?

[11:57] What are some ways to begin signaling to your body to get out of the parasympathetic state?

[16:12] What is the vagus nerve and what is its significance?

[20:03] What are some symptoms you may be having if you are stuck in a sympathetic state?

Connect with Kate:

@inhstl.nursekate

*Submit your question to be answered on the podcast: https://www.jilliantedesco.co/podcast

* Connect with me on IG @jilliantedesco

*Order your copy of my book, Owning the Wait, now! jilliantedesco.co